Veto Override Legalizes Fixed Odds, Mare Cap Ban in KY

As expected, the Kentucky legislature voted April 14 to override Gov. Andy Beshear's veto of a broad-scale gaming bill that legalizes the offering of fixed-odds wagering at racetracks, and implements a ban on any Thoroughbred registrar rule that would limit the number of mares bred to a given stallion in a calendar year. The governor vetoed the bill on grounds that it undermined the executive branch's authority in adopting new rules by allowing the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation and Kentucky Lottery to promulgate emergency or ordinary administration regulations without the governor's signature or review. The Kentucky House voted 67-7 to override the veto and Senate concurred on a 26-5 vote. As part of the legalization of fixed-odds wagering on horse racing, the law creates a "purse stabilization fund" that will be supported by excise taxes and fees from fixed-odds wagering. Regarding the state's prohibition of a Thoroughbred registrar setting a cap on mares bred to an individual stallion, the law recognizes such a limit would be recognized if first adopted and implemented by unanimous consent by members of the International Stud Book Committee. The Jockey Club said in a statement earlier this month that it had the opportunity to review the legislation before its initial approval and supported it. "We have been advocating for the kind of science-based, industrywide approach that the statutory change and the accompanying resolution envision on a national and international level," the statement read.